NDR JAZZ WORKSHOP, GERMANY, MAY 17, 1973

This actually comes from a German television program called "NDR Workshop" and it was recorded in May of 1973. This is one of the first live shows performed by the "Seven" lineup even though this event happened before "Seven" was recorded. So just about all of the tracks are from "Six" but this is so much better than both the live or studio portion of "Six" in my opinion. Hugh Hopper's announcement that he was leaving the band came the very same day as this television broadcast but he actually was there and can be heard performing on "1983".

I must say i'm very partial to this lineup being a big fan not only of "Seven" but of NUCLEUS. I mention NUCLEUS because 3 quarters of the "Seven" lineup came from NUCLEUS and at times i'm reminded very much of their sound, and I love that band. A real bonus for me is hearing Gary Boyle perform with SOFT MACHINE on the second set of songs as well as the absolutely amazing Art Themen on sax. It really changes the dynamics with those two on board. By the way this was just before Gary Boyle would form ISOTOPE. I'm sure this concert must have inspired him.

I love how the first six tracks (the first set) all blend together as the band just works through these numbers without stopping. I'm surprised at how spacey and psychedelic some of this is.There's a big applause after the first set ends, some 20 minutes of non stop music. Amazing stuff.

Set two begins with "Down The Road" which would be the only track featured here that would be on the future "Seven" album. And this is my favourite track. This reminds me so much of NUCLEUS and I love the rhythm. Guitar from Boyle 4 minutes in comes to the fore. I could listen to this track for hours. The sax is killer on "Stanley Stamp's Gibbon Album". Some great guitar that goes on and on on the next tune "Gesolreut". Again I should mention there are lots of spacey moments on this second set as well. A good example of this is the start of "Link 4" until fuzz, drums and sax take over after 2 minutes. It blends into another incredible track called "Stumble" where they kick some ass.

Babbington, Jenkins, Marshall, Ratledge, Boyle and Themen are all in fantastic form. A mention as well to Udi Koomran who restored the audio and did the mastering.The guy is unreal. A great job all around by everyone involved.